Dog Licensing in Delaware

As of January 1, 2010, dog licensing in the State of Delaware will no longer be administered by the State. Previously issued State administered dog licenses will remain valid. You will not be required to obtain a new County license until the current State license expires.

General Information
License Requirements
Where to Purchase
Licensing Fees
Questions/More Info

General Information

All dogs in the State of Delaware must be licensed as required by law. Dog owners residing in Wilmington must get a City of Wilmington dog license. All other residents of the State must get a dog license from the County in which they reside. All licenses will be valid Statewide regardless of the County of residence. City of Wilmington residents do not need a New Castle County license in addition to the City license. Fines for an unlicensed dog range start at $50 for the first offense.

Dog licenses are available that cover one to three calendar years. All licenses expire on December 31st of the appropriate license year purchased.

Example: A one, two or three-year license purchased February 2, 2010 will expire December 31, 2010 for a one-year license, December 31, 2011 for a two-year license, and December 31, 2012 for a three-year license. State law allows a 60 day grace period for obtaining a dog license after it has expired, which means that all licenses must be obtained by March 1st of the following year.

Dog owners should attach the license tag to a collar, and the tag should be worn by the dog at all times. A paper license will be provided along with the tag, and should be retained as the tag alone is not always sufficient proof of licensing. License tags do not have to be worn while the dog is involved in the act hunting, but you must have valid identification on the dog, and a valid dog license and tag must be available for inspection.

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License Requirements

All dogs six months and older as of January 1st of a given calendar year must be licensed for that year. If your dog turns six months old between January 1st and March 1st of any year, the March 1st requirement applies. If the dog turns six months on or after March 1st, you must license the dog at that time for the current year.

A rabies vaccination certificate that has been signed or stamped by a veterinarian, including vaccination and expiration dates, is required to get a license. The limiting factor for a one, two, or three-year license is the expiration date of the rabies certificate. The rabies certificate must be valid through March 1st of each year that you intend to license your dog (or in other words, the rabies expiration date must occur after March 1st of the year of the dog license you are trying to purchase expires).

Example: You purchase your dog license February 1, 2010. If your rabies certificate expires April 12, 2010 you would only be able to buy a one-year license. If it expires April 12, 2011, you would be able to buy a two-year license and if it expires April 12, 2012 you would be able to buy a three-year license. If it expires before March 1st, you must have your dog vaccinated before getting the license for the current calendar year or for a subsequent year.

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Where to Purchase

City of Wilmington residents:

• In person at the Delaware Humane Association

New Castle County residents:

• Online at www.petdata.com/cs/ncc
  
  
• Mail in application with a check or money order payable to New Castle County Dog Licensing, a copy of your dog’s current rabies vaccination certificate, and (if applicable) proof of spay/neuter to: New Castle County Dog Licensing, c/o Pet Data, PO Box 141929, Irving, TX 75014. The application can be downloaded at www2.nccde.org/doglicenses or picked up at one of the locations listed below.
  
  
• In person at the Delaware Humane Association, Delaware SPCA, Lums Pond Animal Hospital, Lantana Veterinary, New London Veterinary, and WalMart Middletown

Kent County residents:

• Online at www.kcspca.org/dog-licensing/purchase-dog-license.html
  
  
• Mail in application with a check or money order payable to KCSPCA Dog Licensing, a copy of your dog’s current rabies vaccination certificate, and (if applicable) proof of spay/neuter to: KCSPCA Dog Licensing, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934. The application can be downloaded at www.kcspca.org/dog-licensing/purchase-dog-license.html or picked up at one of the locations listed below.
  
  
• In person at Kent County SPCA, various veterinarian’s offices, PetSmart, Concord Pets, Tractor Supply, and Southern States (Kent County locations only)

Sussex County residents:

• Online at www.sussexcountyde.gov/e-service/doglicenses (available in the near future)
  
  
• Mail in application with a check or money order payable to Sussex County Council, a copy of your dog’s current rabies vaccination certificate, and (if applicable) proof of spay/neuter to: Sussex County Dog Licensing Office, PO Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947. The application can be downloaded at www.sussexcountyde.gov/e-service/doglicenses or picked up at he location listed below.
  
  
• In person at the Constable's Office (Office 249), 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947

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Licensing Fees

The cost of a license varies for each County based on whether your dog has been spayed or neutered, and the license term. The term of the license you are able to purchase is based on the expiration date of your dog's rabies vaccination.

*You may also be charged an Agent’s Fee for County licenses at the discretion of the issuing agent. DHA charges a $2 Agent's Fee in addition to the cost of the license.

Special services dogs (trained seeing eye, lead, or guide dogs) and dogs which have served in the military must be licensed but are exempt from paying the license fee.

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Have Questions or Need More Info?

New Castle County residents

PetData
(877) 730-6347
info@petdata.com

Kent County residents

Kent County SPCA
(302) 698-3006
(888) 352-7722
licenses@kcspca.org

City of Wilmington residents

Mayor’s Office of  Constituent Services /Cityhelp Hotline
(302) 576-CITY (2489)
cityhelp@ci.wilmington.de.us

Sussex County residents

Sussex County Dog Licensing Office
(302) 855-7380

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